Every great shave starts with a great shaving brush. Without one, you’re simply limiting the enjoyment you’ll receive from your shave, and that breaks all the Shaving Shack rules!
To keep you on the straight and narrow, our experts have pulled together all the info you need on shaving brushes. From finding your perfect brush to maintaining it for years to come, they know it all. Follow their tips and tricks and you’ll be an expert in no time.
The different types of shaving brush bristles
When choosing your shaving brush, you will find that there are various types of bristle to choose from, as well as a plethora of shapes and styles. Traditionally, shaving brush bristles were made from responsibly sourced animal hair. Often the hairs used would be by-products from animals such as horses, boars, and badgers.
Typically, bristles derived from horse hair are most commonly used. These hairs are sourced from the tail, causing no harm and as little distress to the animal as possible.
In recent years, the demand for cruelty-free and vegan friendly options have been increasingly popular, leading to a larger development of synthetic bristle options that steer clear of animal-derived products altogether.
Many technological advances have been made within the past decade and synthetic bristles have improved dramatically as a result. Today, synthetic bristles are softer, retain water superbly and perform equally as well as traditional animal hair bristles.
Whatever your preference, you can easily find a bristle type today that aligns with your ethics.
Finding your fit
The shape of a shaving brush can vary drastically depending on the brand and style you choose: tall, short, dense, thin, flat, bulb-shaped – the list is endless. Simply put, the best way to find your perfect fit is to experiment!
With so many options, it can be great fun for shaving enthusiasts to try out a multitude of brushes. What you’ll start to find is that you have different favourites for different days, creams, soaps, you name it! Before you know it you’ll have an impressive collection that draws compliments from friends, family and anyone else that might clap their eyes on it.
Don’t have the time (or money – collecting brushes can cost a small fortune!) to try out hundreds of different brushes? In general, the rule is this: When using soaps, stick to short and bulb-shaped brushes, when using creams, opt for flatter and taller brushes.
Maintaining your shaving brush
Caring for your brush will ultimately prolong its life, maintaining its quality and durability. To get the best results, start by soaking your brush in warm water for a few minutes before shaving. This will prep the brush for when you apply your product of choice.
Next, shake excess water from the brush and lightly swirl over the top of your chosen product to load it onto the bristles, do this for 10-15 seconds. This will generate a smooth, thick, and luxurious lather by continuing to swirl. Try using a pumping motion, and adding a small amount of water until the desired consistency is reached.
Once you’ve completed your shave, rinse the bristles thoroughly and shake out any excess water. Finish by drying the brush off on a clean towel, before hanging the brush bristles-down to air dry and prevent mildew and unwanted smells.
Deep cleaning your brush
Occasionally, you may find residue building up on the hairs of your brush despite your best efforts to keep it clean. If this happens, it doesn’t mean that it’s destined for the bin. No, it just needs a deep clean!
Use a gentle shampoo to thoroughly lather and clean the bristles in warm water for a good few minutes. Next, rinse the shampoo, load the brush with a softening conditioner, and let it sit for a few minutes before thoroughly rinsing, drying and setting it aside for the next use.
Deep clean sessions are most commonly needed for traditional, animal hair brushes. Think about it: you wouldn’t avoid shampooing and conditioning your hair for months on end, would you?
The shampoo will help to strip away soap and cream build ups while providing a fresh scent, while the conditioner will help to keep hairs strong and soft. If residue still lingers, a 1:10 solution of white vinegar (1) and water (10) will help to cleanse and rinse any build-up thoroughly. Soak the brush for ten minutes in the solution and then rinse with clean water – good as new!
And there you have it – a quick and easy guide to discovering and maintaining the magic of shaving brushes. Explore our collection of best-selling shaving brushes and test your new-found knowledge today!
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